Here are my thoughts about Renee’s 911 call Read more

1. I am immediately struck by the lack of fear in Renee’s voice when I first hear the 911 call. Renee’s voice is amazingly calm. It’s highly notable considering there was a supposed gunman in the house, who if she didn’t know, would have every reason to want to eliminate her, too. How could she be so confident he was gone if she was hiding in the closet?
2. The first time Renee says “My parents were shot” definitively. The second time she adds in “I think my parents were shot”. Why did Renee have a change of heart? Why one minute was she definite and the second she wasn’t? It’s inconsistent. If she was truly afraid and believed someone killed her parents, there would be no doubt whatsoever.
3. I am really taken back by the fact Renee doesn’t start begging and pleading for an ambulance to come and help her parents. She never even asks for an ambulance. It’s like she is resigned to the fact they are dead. Most people in a tragic situation like this cling to hope. Renee doesn’t. This is highly notable and unusual.
4. Renee’s voice tone is timid. Timid doesn’t fit this scenario. Renee should be feeling fear, stress, worry, concern or panic, but I don’t hear any of those emotions in the earlier parts of the phone call — normal emotions we would expect to here in a scenario like this.
5. I’m amazed at how Renee doesn’t have any fear the gunman will hear her and take her out. Why does she feel so safe? It makes her statement that she is hiding in the closet because she is afraid inconsistent. If she had true fear, it would manifest itself in a desire to hide, which would cause her to be afraid to speak. It would also show up in her voice as well, but it doesn’t. This is a notable red flag.
6. I find it really odd how Renee says, “I’m sorry I’m so scared.” This is fascinating because it appears Renee is more concerned with her emotions than she is concerned about her parents getting help or their well being! If you were deathly afraid, would you apologize for it? Have you ever apologized to people when you’ve been very afraid of a serious threat? It’s very unusual and abnormal behavior, unless Renee is afraid about being caught. Then it would add up, wouldn’t it?
7. Notice how Renee never asks for an ambulance or shows urgency to try to save her parents? She finally says, “Are they coming?” notably slow. It’s another red flag.
8. When Renee said again, “I’m so scared” I believe that was a true statement. She is worried about how she will be perceived in this whole scenario. She certainly isn’t worried about her parents though–the true victims of this scenario. It’s all about “Renee”.
9. When the dispatcher asks Renee, “Do you hear anything yet?” with regards to the police and ambulance coming, it’s interesting how Renee responds. She says, “I just heard my mom scream really loud.” Renee isn’t focused on the ambulance coming and getting them help. She is more interested in conveying what she heard earlier. Isn’t’ that odd? Renee then goes into talking about how she heard her dad, too. Most people, when loved ones are clinging to life or could be gravely injured, hang on to getting help at all costs first and foremost. For Renee, this desire seems totally absent, over and over again.
10. Listen to how emotional Renee is when she says, “They probably shot my dog, too.” There is no stress in her voice whatsoever. Is that how you would feel in a situation like this? Most people would be highly emotional. Renee, again, is the exception.
11. It’s interesting that Renee doesn’t talk about the dog barking at all. Wouldn’t you have expected the dog to bark if a stranger entered the house (if he wasn’t normally locked up)?
12. When the dispatcher asks who might have done this, Renee’s tone of voice is off to me when she says, “I don’t know. I really don’t know”. I would expect her to say it with certainty, but she doesn’t.
13. I find it interesting that Renee inquires when the “cops” will get there, instead of the ambulance. She seems to have no interest in an ambulance at all, like she can’t even say the word. It’s very strange. Did she know her parents were dead at this point already? You can’t help but wonder.

14. When the dispatcher asks Renee to go to the front door, Renee says, “I’ll try”. I would expect her fear to be at its highest here. How does she know she won’t run into someone lying in wait for her? Oddly, Renee’s voice gives no indication of stress here. It’s notable.
15. Notice when Renee says, “I just saw my parents ma’am.” There is no shock or horror in her voice. She doesn’t seem to flee either. It’s haunting! Most people who would see their parents shot would fall apart, run away or scream in pain. Not Renee. Why? Why is she so cold and callous about her parents and concerned only about herself?
16. Listen how her sadness is gone when she says, “Their shot. Their shot.” She obviously had no problem looking at them, and seeing if they were shot. Notice she doesn’t check or see if they have pulse or ask how to do CPR. She takes no measure whatsoever to try to help them, does she? The rate of her speech picks up, which suggests excitement. Notice there are no tears, fear, or emotions at this point? They are eerily missing.
17. When the dispatcher tells Renee to go to the front door, listen to how she says, “Okay” There is a palpable air of excitement in her voice again and a lack of tears, shock, surprise, fear or disbelief.

It’s the emotions that Renee doesn’t display that concern me the most here. Our emotions are true indicators of how we really feel and Renee doesn’t seem to feel any shock, disbelief, worry or concern for her parents well being. With that, you can’t help but wonder if she really did want them dead and perhaps took part in ultimately ending their lives.

Here are my thoughts from last night’s 48 Hours. This show original ran in November 2008.

What did you think of the show?